Digital downloading jukebox system with central and local music servers

ABSTRACT

A digital downloading jukebox system including a central server and a plurality of remote jukebox devices each provided with a local server that preferably mirrors the central server and enables selected songs to be immediately downloaded to the jukebox for reproduction. The local server and jukebox may also provide, through control of the central server, song download services to other jukebox devices, such as residential jukeboxes. The jukebox system may also act as a monitoring/management device for other coin operated equipment present in a location where the jukebox is located, thereby enabling the jukebox device to perform updates on other equipment under control of the central server.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 10/661,811,filed Sep. 15, 2003, which claims priority from provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 60/410,832, filed Sep. 16, 2002, entitled “DigitalDownloading Jukebox System With Central And Local Music Servers,” theentire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention relates to, for example, jukebox systems and, moreparticularly, to digital downloading jukebox systems of the type whichtypically include a central server and remote jukebox devices thatcommunicate with the central server for royalty accounting and/orcontent updates. Exemplary embodiments of the instant invention improvesuch systems by providing a local server for each jukebox device in thejukebox system network. The local server provides a second and moreexpansive source of content (i.e., audio and/or visual data) that can beselected by a user of the jukebox device for reproduction on the jukeboxdevice. The local servers preferably provide a mirror of the centralserver, thereby enabling the entire library of audio and/or visual datato be conveniently available to each jukebox device without the need todownload requested content, that is not available on the mass storagedevice of the jukebox device itself, from the central server. Thecollective group of local servers may also act as a network ofdistributed content servers that can be controlled by the central serverthrough each jukebox device to provide services to other devices, suchas residential jukebox devices. In addition, the jukebox device andlocal server can, under control of the central server, operate as a“central hub” or management device for various downloadablecoin-operated equipment present in a location with the jukebox device.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Jukeboxes have been around for decades and provide users with theability to select desired music for reproduction in a convenient andadvantageous manner. Jukeboxes have conventionally been provided incommercial establishments, such as restaurants and bars, in order toprovide desired music on demand for patrons thereof for a fee. Over thelast several years, a new generation of jukebox devices have becomeavailable that provide significant improvements in the operation thereoffor all parties involved. More specifically, the conventional standalonephonorecord and CD jukeboxes are being replaced by digital downloadingjukeboxes that are controlled by and communicate with a central server.An example of this new generation jukebox system is shown in U.S. Pat.No. 6,308,204, the disclosure of which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety. A leading provider of this new generation ofjukebox systems is TouchTunes Music Corporation, headquartered inMontreal, Canada.

FIG. 1 shows an overview of an exemplary embodiment of a digitaldownloading jukebox system 10 (hereinafter referred to simply as a“jukebox system”). As shown in FIG. 1, the jukebox system 10 includes acentral server 12 that contains a master library of audio content(typically music), as well as or alternatively audiovisual content(typically music and associated video or graphics), that can bedownloaded therefrom. The jukebox system also includes a series ofremote jukebox devices 16, 16 a-16 f. Each of these jukebox devices aregenerally located in a bar, restaurant, club or other desired location,and are operable to play music in response to receiving a payment from auser, such as coins, bills, credit/debit card, etc., and having one ormore songs selected by the user for play. The jukebox device 16typically includes a screen 18 that presents information to the user andallows the user to select songs therefrom, as well as an audio system 20that plays the selected songs. The screen 18 may also be used fordisplaying song-related video or graphics. The screen 18 may also beused to display advertisements for the jukebox itself in order toattract customers thereto, to display other types of advertisementsand/or to display any other desired information.

The jukebox devices 16 (sometimes referred to as simply “jukeboxes”herein) are operable to communicate with the central server 12 through acommunications network 14, such as, for example, the Internet. Thejukeboxes 16 periodically communicate with the server 12 in order toprovide information to the server 12 regarding the specific songs thathave been played on the jukebox. The central server then uses thisinformation in order to determine the appropriate royalties and/or otherpayments that are owed for songs played on each jukebox. Thus, onesignificant advantage of this new generation of jukeboxes is that thesound reproduction and/or other applicable music rights can be adheredto in a more accurate and reliable manner, thereby assuring the properroyalties are paid to the artists or music owners. The central server 12can also provide new songs to the jukebox 16 in order to assure that theappropriate or most popular songs are maintained on the jukebox based onthe specific customers at that location. Thus, the songs available oneach jukebox can be customized through communication with the centralserver in order to provide the songs and/or types of music thatcustomers generally request at each jukebox location. As described inthe above-referenced U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,204, the central server canalso advantageously be used to update the operating software on thejukeboxes in order to, for example, change the operation of the jukebox,such as to provide new or improved features. Thus, another significantadvantage of this new generation of jukeboxes is that the songs (orother audio and/or visual content), and the operation of the jukeboxitself can be remotely changed as desired without the need to havesomeone (such as a routeman) personally service the jukebox. Instead,such updates can be done using the central server 12.

As indicated above, the jukebox devices 16 each include a mass storagedevice, such as a hard drive, which stores the songs and associatedvideo/graphics data (if any), as well as any other desired graphicalinformation for reproduction on the jukebox. The mass storage device ofthe jukebox typically has limited storage capacity relative to thestorage device of the central server 12. As a result, only a fraction ofthe songs stored on the central server are actually stored on the massstorage device of the jukebox at any one time. There may be otherreasons as well, such as for security of the data or limited room in thejukebox itself, for having limited storage capacity on the jukeboxand/or limiting the number of songs stored thereon. For example,physical space may be limited on wall-mount jukeboxes or the like, whichare designed to be small in size as compared to free standing models. Asexplained above, the songs on the jukebox can be changed throughcommunication with the central server, but any one jukebox only stores asubset of the complete library of songs maintained by the central serverat any one time.

In order to maximize the revenue that a jukebox generates it isimportant to make the most desired songs available on the jukebox overtime. If customers cannot find songs they like on the jukebox, usage ofthe jukebox (and the revenue generated thereby) will dramaticallydecrease. On the other hand, it is impossible to predict in advanceexactly what a customer at any particular location will desire to playon the jukebox. In fact, there are likely many instances where acustomer would have selected a song that exists on the central serverbut is not currently present on the jukebox. As a result, the jukeboxmay not be enjoyed and used to its fullest extent. In order to addressthis problem and increase revenue, jukebox systems have in the pastprovided a feature which enables the user to search for songs on thecentral server from the jukebox and request an immediate download of adesired song from the central server to the jukebox for an additionalfee. This feature enables the user to play any song in the masterlibrary of songs maintained by the central server using the jukebox,regardless of whether or not the specific song is presently stored inthe mass storage of the jukebox itself. Thus, the user can first lookfor desired songs on the local storage of the jukebox and then, ifdesired, search further on the central server for desired songs. Thejukebox device typically charges an additional fee (such as five creditsinstead on one credit) for an immediate download and play of a song fromthe central server as opposed to a standard play directly from thejukebox's local storage.

One problem, however, with the immediate downloading feature is that itis desirable to have an immediate and high speed connection with thecentral server to implement. In addition, the central server and networkmust be prepared to and capable of handling such requests in a reliableand efficient manner for the feature to properly operate. Theserequirements cannot always be met and, as a result, implementation ofthis feature has been limited. For example, many locations that havejukeboxes do not have high speed connections (such as DSL) and insteaduse dial-up modem connections. Jukeboxes which rely on dial-upconnections generally are only designed to communicate with the serverperiodically and do not allow the user to immediately download a song.They have, however, enabled a user to vote for a song to be downloadedat a later time when the dial-up connection is made. This, of course, isnot as satisfying to the user as being able to immediately download asong. Other problems can arise in connection with this download featureif the network or server is not currently available for the download,due to traffic, malfunctions or the like.

For the reasons explained above, there is a need for a jukebox systemthat overcomes these and other disadvantages. The instant invention isdesigned to address these and other problems and to provide even furtherfunctionality for such jukebox systems.

In accordance with an exemplary aspect of the instant invention, a localcontent server is provided for each jukebox in the jukebox system. Thelocal server preferably mirrors the master library of songs (and/orother content) on the central server. The local server is installed inclose proximity to the jukebox to which it is assigned and preferably inthe same restaurant or bar where the jukebox is installed. The localserver may even be installed within the housing of the jukebox deviceitself if space permits. Preferably, however, the local server is simplyinstalled in a convenient location and connected to the jukebox using ahigh speed connection, such as, for example, Ethernet or the like. Inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment, the local server is used toimplement the immediate downloading feature described above without theneed for a high-speed connection with the central server. In otherwords, the user can first search the local storage on the jukebox fordesired songs and then, if desired, search further on the local serverfor desired songs. If the desired song is found on the local storage itis played from the local storage for a normal fee. On the other hand, ifthe song is only found on the local server, the song can be immediatelydownloaded, at the option of the user, from the local server to thejukebox for playing for a fee that is preferably higher than the normalfee. As a result, the immediate downloading feature can be reliablyimplemented regardless of the connection type to the central server andregardless of the availability of the network or the central server.Moreover, because the download comes from the local server rather thanthe central server is transparent to the user.

In accordance with another exemplary aspect of the invention, the localserver is periodically updated with data (e.g., songs) to correspondwith the contents of the master library of data (e.g., songs). Theupdating may occur remotely using dial-up or broadband connections, orit may be updated manually by, for example, an operator using an updatetool provided by the entity controlling the jukebox system which can bedirectly connect to the jukebox or local server for the purpose ofupdating the local server so that the contents correspond to the masterlibrary on the central server.

In accordance with another exemplary embodiment, the server includes anarray of hard drives with associated IDE controller(s), amicroprocessor, a flash memory containing the BIOS and the operatingsystem, RAM and an Ethernet controller for communication with thejukebox. Each local server is preferably assigned or registered to thespecific jukebox to which it is connected. For security purposes, thedata on the local server preferably does not comprise any completesongs. Instead, the jukebox device includes missing data from each songon the local server, so that the jukebox can construct the entire songfrom the contents of its storage device and the contents of the localserver. The data on the local server is also preferably encrypted usingthe missing data (e.g., one block), thereby preventing songs from beingcopied or played from the local server by any device other than thejukebox to which it is assigned.

In accordance with another exemplary aspect of the invention, acollection of local servers may be used as a network of distributedservers which can be controlled by the central server to provide musicservices to other devices which are connectable to the network throughwhich the central server and jukeboxes communicate. For example, thelocal servers and associated jukebox are used to deliver any requestedsong to a dedicated residential jukebox device (or other suitablejukebox device) in addition to providing song services to the specificjukebox to which it is connected and assigned.

In accordance with a further exemplary aspect of the invention, thelocal server and jukebox device are used, under control of the centralserver, to provide management services for other types of coin operatedor payment triggered equipment, such as gaming devices, installed in thesame location as the jukebox. In other words, the jukebox system ispreferably used to update the functionality of and/or manage otherdownloading devices present in the same location. As a result, thejukebox functions as a “central hub” for all downloading equipment in alocation. This feature is achieved, in one embodiment, by networking allof the downloading devices in a single location together with thejukebox and local file server. The central server can then downloadinformation to the local server together with instructions to thejukebox as to which devices should be updated with what data and/orsoftware. The jukebox device and local server can also be used tocollect information from the other downloading devices to which it ismanaging and upload that information to the central server forreporting/accounting purposes. Thus, the owner/operator of the jukeboxsystem can act as a third party service provider to other coin-opcompanies for the purpose of managing and/or updating their equipment,such as electronic gaming equipment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, objects and advantages of the instantinvention will be further understood by review of the following detaileddescription of the invention when read in conjunction with the appendeddrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional downloading digital jukeboxsystem;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the improved downloading digital jukeboxsystem in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the instantinvention;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary screen shot showing an initial selection screenin accordance with a preferred embodiment of the jukebox system of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is another screen shot showing an exemplary search screen for usein searching for songs on the local server in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the instant invention;

FIG. 5 is another exemplary screen shot showing the results of a searchon the local server and providing the user an option of downloading adesired song to the jukebox device for a fee, in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the instant invention;

FIG. 6 is another exemplary screen shot showing an alternative method ofallowing access to the downloading feature of the instant invention;

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the localsever of the instant invention; and

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of an exemplary overall network includingcommercial jukeboxes and residential jukeboxes, as well as otherdownloading devices and associated connections that are managed by thejukebox system of the instant invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of anexemplary preferred embodiment of an improved jukebox system 10′. Thejukebox system 10′ includes similar elements as shown in FIG. 1 anddescribed above, including a central server 12, communications network14, and remote jukebox devices 16, 16 a-16 f. However, the jukeboxsystem 10′ further includes local servers 22, 22 a-22 f respectivelyconnected to each of the jukebox devices 16, 16 a-16 f. The centralserver 12 includes a master library of songs (and/or other content).Each of the jukebox devices includes a subset of the master library on alocal storage device of the jukebox. The central server may be used toindividually manage the contents of the jukebox device, by monitoringusage of and updating the subset of songs on each of the jukebox deviceswith the intent of maximizing the usage thereof. The central server 12periodically receives data from each of the jukeboxes for the purpose ofroyalty accounting and payment for songs played. The jukebox devices mayconnect to the network in any suitable manner, such as dial-up modem orbroadband modem (e.g., DSL, cable or satellite). The communicationsnetwork 14 may be any suitable network capable of distributing data(e.g., audiovisual data) from the central server 12 to the jukeboxes 16and enabling data to be uploaded from the jukeboxes 16 to the centralserver 12.

The songs (and/or other data) are preferably digitized, compressed andencrypted by the central server 12 prior to sending songs to thejukeboxes for security and bandwidth purposes using known techniques.The songs are then decompressed and decrypted by the jukeboxes forstorage and reproduction thereon. Thus, each of the jukeboxes maintainsa library of digitized songs for play on the jukebox, wherein thelibrary can be changed or updated through communication by the centralserver. The jukeboxes preferably also receive and store dataconstituting images (e.g., still and/or moving video and/or graphicalimages) that can be displayed on the display 18 of the jukebox device16. In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the jukebox deviceshave the structure and operation described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,204referenced above. Thus, the jukebox devices 16 each preferably includeone or more microprocessors, such as a main CPU and an audio DSP, amemory, such as a hard drive, for storing songs and/or other content, adisplay of displaying visual items, an audio arrangement 20 forproviding audio, a communication system for enabling the jukebox tocommunicate with the central server 12 through the communicationsnetwork 14, and operating software, preferably including a multitaskingoperating system, that controls the operation of the jukebox. Theoperating software is also preferably updateable through communicationwith the central server 12 as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No.6,308,204 referenced above. The jukeboxes 16 further include one or morepayment devices, such as coin, bill and/or credit card input devices,for enabling a customer to pay for usage of the jukebox device in aconvenient manner. The screen 18 is preferably a touch screen thatenables the user to input selections by touching the screen.

Each jukebox device has a local server 22 that can be accessed by thejukebox device. The local servers are respectively connected to thejukebox devices using Ethernet or other type of local connection. Thelocal servers 22 each preferably include a mirror copy of the masterlibrary of musical recordings maintained by the central server 12. Thelocal server 22 can be loaded with the master library by the entity thatowns and/or controls the jukebox network prior to shipping the localserver and jukebox device to the jukebox distributor or operator. Ofcourse, over time, the local sever will no longer correspond identicallyto the central server, due to the fact that the central server ispreferably continually updated with additional or new songs. Thus, thelocal servers 22 are also preferably updated periodically to maintain acorrespondence with the library on the central server 12. This updatingcan be done, for example, by the central server 12 through communicationwith the jukebox devices connected with the local servers 22 using, forexample, either dial-up or broadband modems. Alternatively, the updatingcan be done personally with an update tool that can be connected by arouteman or other person directly to the jukebox or local server for thepurpose of updating the contents of the local server. The portable toolcould include a removable storage medium, such as a hard drive, thatcould be returned to and reused by the owner of the jukebox system forfuture updates. The tool itself could be keep by the operator or otherperson in charge of maintaining specific jukeboxes for use upon receiptof the updated removable storage medium from the owner of the jukeboxsystem.

For security reasons, the local server 22 preferably does not includeall of the digital data that constitutes any one song that is stored onthe local server 22. In addition, the part of the song that is on thelocal server is encrypted. The jukebox device 16 contains the missingpart of each of the songs on the local server, thereby enabling thejukebox to assemble the complete song based on the contents of the localserver and the memory on the jukebox device. The missing data located onthe jukebox is needed in order to decrypt the songs. For example, asingle block (or other small fraction) of data for each song may bemissing on the local server but present on the jukebox device, and theencryption may be based on the missing block and may proceed on a blockby block basis. Thus, none of the blocks can be decrypted withoutobtaining and/or decrypting a preceding block. This feature providessignificant security and prevents or deters theft or other type ofunauthorized use or copying of the songs on the local server. Thus, inthis embodiment, each local server must be specifically assigned to aspecific jukebox device so that the decryption described above can beproperly performed.

In accordance with a preferred exemplary embodiment, the local serversmay also each be individually registered with and identified to thecentral server 12, so that the central server can individually manageand monitor each local server. The same is true for the jukebox deviceitself, i.e., it may also preferably be registered with the centralserver so that it too can be individually monitored and managed by thecentral server. As will be understood from the foregoing description,the local servers become an important and advantageous part of thejukebox system by allowing the contents thereof to be accessed by thejukebox device to provide additional services (such as providingadditional songs) not available on the jukebox device itself. As will beexplained below, the song library of the central server and/or thestorage capacity itself can be advantageously used to provide servicesto other jukeboxes, such as fee-based residential jukeboxes and/or othercoin-operated equipment. One preferred use of the local servers may beto provide an immediate song downloading feature for the jukebox devicewill now be described below in detail with reference to the exemplaryscreen shots of FIGS. 3-6.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary screen shot for a music selection screen 30 asdisplayed on the touch display of the jukebox device. As can be seen inFIG. 3, this selection screen, which is preferably the initial selectionscreen displayed to a customer, includes graphical representations 32 ofthe various album covers for songs that are stored in the memory of thejukebox device. The albums covers are shown in alphabetical order andthe virtual slide bar 33 can be used to scroll through the availablealbums. Up and down arrows (34 and 35) are also provided for steppingthrough the available albums. A “Now Playing” button 36 is also providedfor showing information on the song currently playing on the jukebox (ifany). A “Top Ten” button 38 is also provided for showing a list of theten most popular songs on the jukebox. A “Tune Central” (TM ofTouchTunes Music Corporation) button 39 is also provided, the functionof which will now be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4.

If the user does not see an album of interest in the display of albumcovers or desires for any reason to search for available songs that arenot present on the jukebox device, the user may select the “TuneCentral” button 39. When the “Tune Central” button is pressed, thedisplay on the jukebox is changed from that of FIG. 3 to that of FIG. 4.The exemplary screen shot of FIG. 4 shows a search screen 40 whichenables a search to be performed on the local server 22 connected to thejukebox device. This screen 40 provides a virtual keyboard 42 for use inentering a search request. The search can be done by album, artist orsong, based on the associated buttons 47. Once a search is typed, theuser touches the “Search” button 44 and a search of the contents of thelocal server is initiated. Input from the virtual keyboard can becleared using the “Clear” button 46.

When a search is initiated from screen 40, the screen is changes to thatshown in FIG. 5 to display the results of the search. As shown in FIG.5, the results of the search are listed. More particularly, in thisexample, a list of songs that satisfy the search request are listed. Thelist could also be by album if the search was album based. The user canscroll through the search results using slide bar 53. The user is alsoshown a display 55 of the number of current credits and a display 56 ofthe number of credits that are required to download a song from thelocal server to the jukebox device. The user can go back to the previousscreen by touching the “Back” button 57. If the user selects and songfrom the search list and then touches the “Get It Now” button 54, thejukebox is operable to immediately download the selected song from thelocal server to the jukebox for play on the jukebox. The downloaded songcan be queued up with any other selected but unplayed songs (if any) forplay on the Jukebox. In this example, the download costs five creditsinstead of one credit like a normal selection from the storage of thejukebox itself. Once the downloaded song is played, it is preferablydeleted from the jukebox device (together with any graphical data, suchas the album cover graphic) that was also downloaded from the localserver in connection with the song download). In this way, the user hasthe option, through use of the “Tune Central” button, to temporarilyobtain on the jukebox any song from the master library of recordingswithout the need to contact the central server 12. As a result, thejukebox provides a more enjoyable experience for the user, while alsoincreasing revenue generated thereby.

FIG. 6 shows another exemplary screen shot of a song selection screen 60that is displayed when a user touches an album cover graphic from thescreen 30 of FIG. 3. Thus, this screen shows an alternative (or typical)method of selecting a song, wherein the song is selected directly fromthe subset of songs that are directly available from the storage deviceof the jukebox itself (rather than the local server). In this example,Joe Cocker's Greatest Hits was selected from the screen of FIG. 3. Asshown in FIG. 6, the resulting screen display 60 shows the selectedalbum graphic 61 and a list of the songs 62 that are available on thejukebox for that album. The jukebox may or may not include all of thesongs for a particular album. The available songs can be scrolledthrough if necessary using scroll bars 63 a and 63 b. The user has theoption, through the “Play” button 65, to select a song from the list forplay on the jukebox. A “Play Now” button 66 is also provided forenabling the user to select a priority play of the song, thereby givingthe song a higher priority than songs selected using the “Play” button65. This priority feature preferably requires more play credits than thenormal play. A display 67 shows the number of credits available for theuser. Button 64 shows other albums for the same artist being shown at61, thereby enabling a user to easily search through the albums for aparticular artist for a desired song.

As also shown in FIG. 6, a “Tune Central” button 68 is displayed thatenables the user to search for songs by this same artist on the localserver as explained in connection with FIG. 4. In other words, button 68takes the user to the search screen 40 of FIG. 4 for searching the localserver. The user can then proceed to search the local server and selectsongs therefrom, if desired, as described above in connection with FIGS.4 and 5. Thus, as explained above, the user can access the local serverat various screens in a convenience and efficient manner, depending onthe desires of the user when interacting with the jukebox screen.

As can be seen from FIGS. 3-6, the user is provided with the option ofplaying songs that are resident on the jukebox device itself or,alternatively, selecting songs from the local server for download andplay in an efficient and reliable manner, thereby significantlyimproving the operation of jukebox systems, particularly those thatcannot quickly, easily or reliably receive downloads of music on demandfrom a central server. It is noted that the screen shots of FIGS. 3-6are only exemplary and any suitable screen configurations can be used toprovide the functionality described herein. In addition, the jukeboxoperator is provided with the ability through operator screens (notshown) to set filters per genre or style of music in order to limitaccess to the end user and avoid undesirable music being played at aspecific location.

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of the electronic elements that define thelocal server 22 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. As shown inFIG. 7, the local server 22 includes a CPU 72 (e.g., AMD Elan 100 MHz),a flash memory (e.g., 8 MB) containing the BIOS and OS, a pair ofmaster/slave hard drives (82, 84 and 86, 88, respectively), a pair ofIDE controllers 78 and 80 for the hard drive pairs respectively, a RAM76 (e.g., 32 MB), an Ethernet controller for controlling communicationwith the jukebox device 16, and the appropriate buses interconnectingthe various elements. Of course, other configurations or arrangementsfor the local server 22 may be used. A unique identifier may be providedin the local server for enabling the local server to be uniquelyidentified and registered by the jukebox and/or central server. Theidentifier may, for example, be located in the flash memory 74.

As will be appreciated from the description of the invention above, theaddition of the local server significantly enhances the operation of thejukebox devices that are part of a jukebox system. However, the localservers also provide other benefits and features that will now bedescribed.

A collection of local servers 22 may be used as a network of distributedservers that can be controller by the central server 12 through itsassociated jukebox device 16 to provide music services to other devices.For example, the local servers and associated jukebox can be used todeliver requested songs to a dedicated residential jukebox device (orother suitable jukebox device) in addition to providing song services tothe specific jukebox to which it is connected and assigned. Thus, thenetwork of distributed servers can provide a support network forimplementing residential jukeboxes of the type which allow a user todownload songs for reproduction and/or storage at a residential locationfor an appropriate fee. As a result, the jukebox system operator canprovide and control commercial jukeboxes and well as residentialjukeboxes through the jukebox system. In this embodiment, the jukeboxdevice and/or local server are connected to the Internet (or othersuitable network) using a broadband modem and is provided with softwarethat can selectively deliver song files to any dedicated residentialjukebox device (also connectable to the Internet) under control of thecentral server. The central server receives requests from a residentialjukebox and, by analyzing traffic on the network, provides instructionsto a selected jukebox device to download the requested song file (eitherfrom its memory or from the local server) to the residential jukebox fora fee or under a subscription plan for the residential jukebox.

In accordance with another exemplary aspect of the invention, the localserver and jukebox device are used, under control of the central server,to provide management services for other types of coin operated orpayment triggered equipment, such as gaming devices, installed in thesame location as (or in close proximity to) the jukebox. In other words,the jukebox system is preferably used to update the functionality ofand/or manage other downloading devices present in the same location. Asa result, the jukebox becomes a “central hub” for all downloadingequipment in a location. This feature is achieved, in one embodiment, bynetworking all of the downloading devices in a single location togetherwith the jukebox and local file server. The central server can thendownload information to the local server together with instructions tothe jukebox as to which devices should updated with what data and/orsoftware. The jukebox device and central server can also be used tocollect information from the other downloading devices to which it ismanaging and upload that information to the central server forreporting/accounting purposes. Thus, the owner/operator of the jukeboxsystem can act as a third party service provider to other coin-opcompanies for the purpose of managing and/or updating their equipment.

The large amounts of memory provided by the local servers and the factthat they are provided and accessible at thousands of locations over awell controlled network, turns the jukebox system into a powerful toolthat can be used to perform a variety of functions in the coin-opindustry. More and more coin-op manufacturers are going towards gamesthat are software upgradeable through their internal hard drives. Theseupdates are done periodically, but as these devices increase there willbe an ever increasing need for a system that can reliably andefficiently perform the updates from a remote location. The jukeboxsystem described herein satisfies this need by enabling all suitableelectronic coin-op devices at a jukebox location to be managed by thecentral server using the jukebox and local server at the location. Thecentral server can download software or data updates, store them on thelocal server and then dispatch the updates to the intended units ofequipment in the establishment. Thus, the jukebox system can act as athird party service provider to other companies in the coin-op business,thereby significantly enhancing the functionality of the jukebox system.

As an example, there are currently about 140,000 Merit coin-operatedcountertop devices in the USA, each of which enables users to play gamesand the like for a fee. Many of these devices operate with a hard drivethat can be upgraded with new software. Merit does this by shippingCD-ROMs to operators who then need to drive to each location andmanually update each machine. In accordance with the instant invention,however, all suitable coin-op equipment at a location are connected(directly or indirectly) with the local jukebox and local serverassigned thereto. This enables the central server to receive theintended software update for any device, together with information thatidentifies what devices are to upgraded with what software. The upgradeservices are preferably fee based and provide an additional revenuestream for the jukebox system. The central server then downloads thesoftware to the local servers with the upgrade instructions to furtherdownload the upgrades to the appropriate device(s).

As explained above, the local server enables songs to be downloaded to acommercial jukebox to which it is assigned or to residential jukeboxesunder control of the central server. In addition, the local servers canbe used for an on-premise networked application which manages othercoin-op devices. These various features of the instant invention areillustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a complete jukebox system network ascontemplated by an exemplary embodiment. As explained above, the systemincludes a central server 12 connected to a communications network 14, aseries of commercial jukeboxes 16 a, 16 b and 16 c with associated localmusic file servers 22 a, 22 b and 22 c, a series of residentialjukeboxes 100 a, 100 b and 100 c connected to the network via broadbanddevices 102 a, 102 b and 102 c, and an on-premise network shown on theright hand side of FIG. 8. This on-premise network includes a jukeboxdevice 16 d connected via a router or network hub 110 to a local fileserver 22 d, a number of additional coin-op equipment, such as a dartgame 104, a golf game 106 and a countertop videogame 108, and abroadband modem 112 connecting this local network to the communicationsnetwork 14. With this exemplary configuration as shown in FIG. 8 all ofthe functionality described herein can be implemented through thejukebox system of the instant invention.

While the preferred aspects of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed herein, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in theart that various changes and/or modifications can be made. Thus, thespecific description herein is meant to be exemplary only and is notintended to limit the invention beyond the terms of appended claims.

1. A jukebox device that manages non-jukebox devices in a commonlocation, comprising: a payment acceptor configured to receive a paymentfrom a user purchasing plays or credits from the jukebox device; a userinterface configured to enable the user of the jukebox device to selecta song for playback from a library of songs accessible by the jukeboxdevice; a speaker system connected to the jukebox device, the speakersystem being configured to reproduce the selected song for apredetermined number of plays or credits; and a local server configuredto manage one or more of said non-jukebox devices, said one or moremanaged non-jukebox device being connected to the jukebox device via anetwork connection.
 2. The jukebox device of claim 1, wherein the one ormore managed non-jukebox devices are payment-triggered non-jukeboxdevices.
 3. The jukebox device of claim 2, wherein the local server isfurther configured to update the one or more managed non-jukebox devicesbased on information from a central server remote from the location. 4.The jukebox device of claim 3, wherein software provided to the one ormore managed non-jukebox devices is updatable so that the one or moremanaged non-jukebox devices are capable of providing new games.
 5. Thejukebox device of claim 3, wherein the jukebox device is configured tocollect reporting and/or accounting related information from the one ormore managed non-jukebox devices.
 6. The jukebox device of claim 5,wherein the jukebox device is configured to upload the collectedreporting and/or accounting related information to the central server.7. The jukebox device of claim 2, wherein the jukebox device and the oneor more managed non-jukebox devices are provided by different parties.8. The jukebox device of claim 2, wherein the jukebox device isconfigured to download software and/or data updates from a centralserver and store the downloaded software and/or data updates to thelocal server, and wherein the local server is further configured todispatch the stored downloaded software and/or data updates to the oneor more managed non-jukebox devices.
 9. The jukebox device of claim 2,wherein the management of the one or more managed non-jukebox devicesprovided by the jukebox device and the local server is provided for afee.
 10. The jukebox device of claim 1, wherein the network connectionis a high-speed network connection within the location.
 11. A digitaljukebox network, comprising: a central server having a centralrepository of songs; and at a plurality of locations: a jukebox devicebeing configured to manage non-jukebox devices provided to the locationand download songs and data from the central server, each said jukeboxdevice comprising (a) a payment acceptor configured to receive a paymentfrom a user purchasing plays or credits from the jukebox device, (b) auser interface configured to enable the user of the jukebox device toselect a song for playback from a library of songs accessible by thejukebox device, and (c) a speaker system connected to the jukeboxdevice, the speaker system being configured to reproduce the selectedsong for a predetermined number of plays or credits; and at least onenon-jukebox device; a local server configured to manage at least onesaid non-jukebox device using data communicated between the jukeboxdevice at the location and the central server, the local server beingconnected to the jukebox device at the location and each said managednon-jukebox device via an internal network set up in the location. 12.The digital jukebox network of claim 11, wherein each said managednon-jukebox device in a location is a payment-triggered non-jukeboxdevice.
 13. The digital jukebox network of claim 12, wherein each saidmanaged non-jukebox device is updatable with game software.
 14. Thedigital jukebox network of claim 12, wherein at each said location, thelocal server is configured to collect reporting and/or accountingrelated information from each said managed non-jukebox device, the localserver being further configured to communicate the collected reportingand/or accounting related information to the central server via thejukebox device.
 15. The digital jukebox network of claim 12, wherein inat least one said location, the jukebox device and at least one saidmanaged non-jukebox device are provided by different parties.
 16. Thedigital jukebox network of claim 12, wherein the management of at leastone said managed non-jukebox device is provided for a fee.
 17. Thedigital jukebox network of claim 12, wherein at each said location, thejukebox device is configured to download software and/or data updatesfrom the central server and store the downloaded software and/or dataupdates to the local server, and wherein the local server is furtherconfigured to dispatch the stored downloaded software and/or dataupdates to at least one said managed non-jukebox devices.
 18. A methodof operating a jukebox network, the method comprising: providing acentral server having a central repository of songs; providing aplurality of jukebox devices at a plurality of respective locations,each said jukebox device being configured to manage non-jukebox devicesprovided to the location and download songs and data from the centralserver, each said jukebox device comprising (a) a payment acceptorconfigured to receive a payment from a user purchasing plays or creditsfrom the jukebox device, (b) a user interface configured to enable theuser of the jukebox device to select a song for playback from a libraryof songs accessible by the jukebox device, and (c) a speaker systemconnected to the jukebox device, the speaker system being configured toreproduce the selected song for a predetermined number of plays orcredits; providing, at each said location, at least one non-jukeboxdevice and a local server, the local server being connected to thejukebox device and each said non-jukebox device to a network set up inthe location; and managing, via the local server provided at each saidlocation, the at least one non-jukebox device at each said locationusing data communicated between the jukebox device and the centralserver.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein at least some of thenon-jukebox devices are payment triggered non-jukebox devices.
 20. Themethod of claim 18, further comprising updating, at each said location,the at least one non-jukebox device with game software.
 21. The methodof claim 18, further comprising at each said location: collecting, viathe local server provided at said location, reporting and/or accountingrelated information from the at least one non-jukebox device; andcommunicating the collected reporting and/or accounting relatedinformation to the central server via the jukebox device.
 22. The methodof claim 18, further comprising charging a fee for the updating and/ormanaging of the at least one non-jukebox device.